World of Goo Steam release delayed

By Robert Purchese Published 15 October, 2008

For Europe in 2009. Demo available.

The European Steam release of World of Goo has been pushed back to February or March 2009.

No reason was given for the delay, and we're told copies bought on Monday at US release will continue to work just fine.

World of Goo is a brilliant PC physics puzzle game where living blobs of goo are used to build structures that wobble their way towards a goal - usually a pipe that hovers the remaining globules up.

You can try the magical formula for yourself in a freshly released demo on FileFront. It's only 33MB.

World of Goo was also released on WiiWare in the US earlier this week. We've got our fingers crossed for its arrival here on Friday.

Alternatively, head over to our World of Goo review to see what all the fuss is about.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (38) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Razz #1 3 years ago

    Oh FFS! What a crock. :(

  • spekkeh #2 3 years ago

    But of course. Otherwise all the wii owners would buy it for the PC, and then they couldn't milky milky the cash cow.

  • Neko-Zombie #3 3 years ago

    Downloaded this of the US Wiiware service yesterday. A nice little advantage to having bought a US console. Brilliant game. But there is so much momentum for this game at the moment, I wonder wether they aren't hurting their sales by delaying it for so long. People are fickle after all.

  • gtmacc #4 3 years ago

    As usual europe get shafted again on release dates, no wonder piracy is getting worse!

    Ah well no worries, I guess will just go over to the Goo official site and download from there.

  • StooMonster #5 3 years ago

    But I bought and downloaded it from Steam the other day, upon release ... and I am in the UK.

    Perhaps I shouldn't have said that! It really is a fantastic title, well worth the $23 (inc VAT) that I paid for it!

    The European release of Goo is annoying, why only retail disc for Wii and not WiiWare, why Steam delayed? Smells like stiffing the European customer ... again.

    And whilst we are at it, why are Ubisoft and Atari/Infogrames still only available to US customers on Steam? Greed.

  • spekkeh #6 3 years ago

    Who is the publisher of the European version of WoG? Time for massive shitstorm I say.

  • gtmacc #7 3 years ago

    Can be bought from here i think [link url=http://2dboy.com/games.ph p.
    ]http://2dboy.com/games.ph p.
    [/link]

    Once i get paid I will be giving it a go.

  • ryohazuki1983 #8 3 years ago

    @gtmacc - exactly, either wait for how ever long it takes for them to eventually release it to europeans, else download the WAD. With WiiWare and VC titles so easy to download/install without any hardware mods a lot of impatient people will just download it.

    I always like to support the industry and buy games if they are worth it, but sometimes they take the piss!

  • StooMonster #9 3 years ago

    I live in Europe, when do I get my goo?

    World of Goo is scheduled to launch in Europe with an exclusive 6th chapter (the moon) in the first quarter of 2009. Both PC and Wii versions will be available as boxed retail games, and the PC version will be available online as well, through Steam and other digital distribution channels. If you want your goo now, you can get the North American version on our website.

    Source: [link url=http://2dboy.com/faq.php
    ]http://2dboy.com/faq.php
    [/link]

    If I hadn't already bought this from Steam, I'd tell them to go fuck themselves. The only possible reason they are delaying and changing the European offering is to get more money from us.

  • spekkeh #10 3 years ago

    I really want WoG for the Wii, I think it's a much more ideal fit for on there, and I never really play games on my pc, not for long at least. But I'll be buggered to have to take it up my backside.

    Maybe I'll pay directly to 2DBoy and then pirate the Wii version.

  • Schiraman #11 3 years ago

    Being messed about like this has really put me off buying the game. I probably won't bother with it now, since there are plenty of decent games around anyway.

  • Fodder #12 3 years ago

    What am I missing here? People in Europe can still buy the game direct from the developers, so what's the problem? What difference does it make if it's on Steam or not?

  • groovychainsaw #13 3 years ago

    just get if from 2dboy directly - cut out the middleman... it's not like your pc is region-locked now is it?
    /edit ... like the others said!
    Edited by 1 at 15/10/08 @ 11:48

  • skillian #14 3 years ago

    I also bought it from Steam even though I'm in the UK.

    Just got lucky, as there was a period of time when it was up for purchase before some lawyer realised that it shouldn't be. 2D Boy have already said that isn't a problem.

    But yes, the answer is just to buy it off 2D Boy's website. [link url=http://2dboy.com/games.php
    ]http://2dboy.com/games.php
    [/link]

  • Canyarion #15 3 years ago

    Why does EG keep hoping that we'll see WoG on WiiWare here next friday? 2D Boy already said that their publisher in Europe will bring it to disc instead of WW. :( :(

  • sneetch #16 3 years ago

    @ToonMonkey
    "But I just bought it from Steam. Must have got the US one but didn't realise."

    Hang on here, lads. Can anyone confirm whether or not you can get World of Goo from Steam still or has it been removed? I was going to buy it last night but decided not to for some reason.

    Before the angry mob forms and pitchforks and torches are distributed I think we should try and get this straight. This seems more than a little strange and I'd hate to see them get bad press because of confusion.

    If they have decided to remove it from Steam as a purchasable game, after it was put up there, then I smell a "screw the Europeans" coming and I can almost guarantee that it'll be priced at considerably more than $20 when it resurfaces. Based on the fact that charging Europeans more is a fun game for all the industry to enjoy.

  • Chufty #17 3 years ago

    Erm wtf, I too bought World of Goo on Monday, via Steam, in the UK. And I've been playing it constantly since, incidentally!

    I didn't even realise Steam was any different depending where you are in the world.
    Edited by 1 at 15/10/08 @ 12:13

  • crozon #18 3 years ago

    yeah got it off steam (from the uk) and its brilliant.

    the devs said they screwed up, there are 2 distributers, one in the US and one europe. with europe they signed an agreement and on it, it said the steam version can only be unlocked when the european box version is out. The devs are trying to resolve it.

    In the mean time you can buy it from 2d boys site as pointed out earlier by other posters.

  • sneetch #19 3 years ago

    @Canyarion
    "Why does EG keep hoping that we'll see WoG on WiiWare here next friday? 2D Boy already said that their publisher in Europe will bring it to disc instead of WW. :( :( "

    This makes no sense! (Not that I'm doubting you, Canyarion, btw).

    Why the hell do they need a publisher in Europe? As a digital download they could have just "published" it themselves surely? Instead they allow someone else to get their fingers in their pie and release it on disk, driving cost up and sales down and get less of a cut of the profits?

    Edit: ah, of course they're hoping to get higher sales from it appearing on disk, duh. I wonder why though? Do Europeans buy so many fewer digital games? I mean the reason I don't buy more PC games online is that they (publishers) either don't sell their digital downloads Europe or they take the piss with the prices ($70 for COD4 on Steam).

    Edit: sod it, I'll get it from their website, $20 and no VAT. :)
    Edited by 2 at 15/10/08 @ 12:20

  • skillian #20 3 years ago

    Kyle from 2D Boy:

    "As part of our European agreement, we are restricted from selling the game on Steam in Europe. I’m thinking this was a clause that was accidentally left in, since I can’t imagine this kind of restriction is good for anyone. We’re going to try to reverse it. We live in the future. We shouldn’t even have countries and regions. Just one big Internet where everyone is equal." [link url=http://evo-gamer.com/2008/10/14/european-goo-delay ed-on-steam/
    ]http://ev o-gamer.com/2008/10/14/european...[/link]

    Pretty stupid if it was a genuine mistake, and will skew the results of their "no DRM" experiment, but they will live and learn I guess.

  • Kiigan #21 3 years ago

    You can buy it from Steam right now, in the UK anyway.

    And you can buy it from 2DBoy directly.

    It is very good.

  • StooMonster #22 3 years ago

    What am I missing here? People in Europe can still buy the game direct from the developers, so what's the problem? What difference does it make if it's on Steam or not?

    Steam version of World of Goo is integrated with SteamWorks and has 'achievements' (which is nice if you like that kind of thing).

    Steam version does not require using PayPal to pay for it (developers site does).

    Steam version means that I can log into any of my computers and sync the downloads (don't get caught playing at work), and don't have to worry about carrying install files about.

    Would really like this title on WiiWare to play with the kids, as well as PC, feel like I am being shafted if I have to buy on Wii retail disc as they are hardly going to charge £12 for it are they?

  • NorfolkNClue #23 3 years ago

    Kiigan has it - I bought it from steam two nights ago.

  • skillian #24 3 years ago

    You can buy it from Steam right now, in the UK anyway.

    No you can't, that's the point of the story. Try it for yourself: <a href="http://store .steampowered.com/app/22000/
    ">http://store .steampowered.com/app/22000/
    </a> This item is currently unavailable in your region.

    Kiigan has it - I bought it from steam two nights ago.

    I bought it yesterday from Steam as well, but last night they realised the error and now it is no longer available.


    Edited by 1 at 15/10/08 @ 13:08

  • UncleLou #25 3 years ago

    Incredibly, incredibly silly.

    Of course you can buy it from them directly (which is what I did), but Steam will obviously be a much better platform to generate buzz. Does the (inexplicably late anyhow) Wii version need this sort of protection?

  • skillian #26 3 years ago

    The Wii release is the reason World of Goo has been yanked from Steam. Basically, the game can't be released for PC (other than direct from 2D Boy) until the boxed Wii version is on shop shelves in Q1 2009.

  • Chufty #27 3 years ago

    Sounds more like Nintendo is as much to blame for this farce as anyone else.

  • NorfolkNClue #28 3 years ago

    Skillian - has your copy been removed from your steam account since they've realised their error?
    Edited by 1 at 15/10/08 @ 13:54

  • Loser #29 3 years ago

    @ StooMonster

    "And whilst we are at it, why are Ubisoft and Atari/Infogrames still only available to US customers on Steam? Greed. "

    I think Ubisoft has its own digital distribution platform in Europe, which it doesn't want Steam to conflict with.

  • skillian #30 3 years ago

    @Norfolk'n'Clue

    No, my copy still runs fine, and Valve have said anyone who managed to get their copy in the small window of time that it was available will not be penalised. :)

    The only question is whether we'll automatically get that extra chapter when it gets its official Euro release...

  • PrivateJoker #31 3 years ago

    Awesome game, got it monday from 2dboy's own site for £11.97. I use Steam but had no idea it was coming to it so makes no difference really.
    If you want it it's available to everyone.

  • StooMonster #32 3 years ago

    Ubisoft Continues to Expand Catalog on Steam says STEAM NEWS, except it's limited to US only and Europe only gets the Dark Messiah games.Atari have The Witcher, NeverWinter Nights and a bunch of other stuff on Steam too, again in the US only.

    WTF is up with these European publishers, why won't they sell through this distribution channel in Europe? [rhetorical question]

    Loser: I think Ubisoft has its own digital distribution platform in Europe, which it doesn't want Steam to conflict with.

    When I go to their website all I see are DVD-ROMs for sale (with the exceptions of 'Peter Jackson's King Kong' and 'Prince of Percia The Two Thrones' as the only downloads), besides why should install another digital distribution channel I'm fine with this one. I have cash, I want to pay, they should accept my money and use the channel of my choice.
    Edited by 4 at 15/10/08 @ 14:54

  • NorfolkNClue #33 3 years ago

    @Skillian - that's good news at least, cheers. I wasn't actually going to buy this game, as despite it looking good, I couldn't be arsed with the rigmarole. I saw it on steam and grabbed it...

  • sneetch #34 3 years ago

    @Chufty
    "Sounds more like Nintendo is as much to blame for this farce as anyone else."

    Why Nintendo? Where do they come into all this? Nintendo aren't the publishers after all. I love how people blame the console manufacturers for these things. (BTW It's nothing to do with Valve either).

    @Loser
    "@ StooMonster

    "And whilst we are at it, why are Ubisoft and Atari/Infogrames still only available to US customers on Steam? Greed. "

    I think Ubisoft has its own digital distribution platform in Europe, which it doesn't want Steam to conflict with."

    They don't. They have the potential for their own digital distribution platform in Europe but no will to actually put one in place.

    They currently offer two games on their European digital distribution platform, that's right two compared to hundreds on their US digital distribution site. Their games are also available on Direct2Drive and numerous other sites and, of course, Steam if you're living in the US.

    I believe it is due to the wide range of price points for software that exists throughout Europe (in some European countries games are sold for €20-30 more than others). I think that they're so concerned about missing out on chances to screw every last cent out of the European consumer that they're missing out on chances to get any cash from them.

  • gtmacc #35 3 years ago

    Just bought and downloaded this over my lunch break at work and think its well worth the purchase, really enjoying it so far :)

    Cost me just under £12 from 2D boy directly, cheaper than it would be on valve i think (no vat added).

  • StooMonster #36 3 years ago

    @ sneetch

    They could use the geo-IP and credit card details to work out the customers' European country of origin and charge everyone different prices -- except that's actually illegal within the EU and download prices would have to be the same to all EU customers (which was why iTunes was in trouble with the European Commission) ... and they can't be having that!

    You are correct, it's not only Steam that one cannot purchase these European publishers' games it'd Direct2Drive too -- World of Goo on D2D states "This product is only available for purchase in the United States, Canada, and Mexico."

    The way I see it is that they are quite happy to service foreign, North American, customers with download goodness and value deals but want to squeeze every penny/cent they can out of their home territory customers. Nice!

  • Oh-Bollox #37 3 years ago

    Bought it direct from 2D Boy, they deserve the money, not Steam.

    Will probably buy the Wii version if it retails at budget price.

  • Dan234 #38 3 years ago

    The way I see it is that they are quite happy to service foreign, North American, customers with download goodness and value deals but want to squeeze every penny/cent they can out of their home territory customers. Nice!

    They should sell 'em while they can now, by next spring we'll be back to ploughing fields in a Mad Max-like post apocalyptic world, but I suppose the prospect of sales in those European countries where all shops sell games at the MRP (50€) and they never ever drop the price ever, even a year after launch, is too tempting for them.